Scaffold ladder clamp



Aug. 2, 1960 C. OLSEN SCAFFOLD LADDER CLAMP Filed March 15, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 r"-'-: /22 a Fig. 2 I f Char/es Olsen INVENTOR.

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United States Patent 2,947,555 SCAFFOLD LADDER- CLAMP Charles Olsen, Sulphur, La.

Filed Mar. 15, 1954, Ser- No. 416,212

2 Claims. 01. 287-54) This invention relates in general to improvements in scaffolds and more particularly to an improved scaffold clamp for securing a ladder to a scaffold.

The average scaffold now being made does not include a ladder structure inasmuch as the initial cost of the scaffold would be greatly increased if so constructed. Accordingly in order that workmen may climb up and down from the scaffolds it is necessary to provide ladders. The type of ladder commonly utilized is an ordinary wooden ladder and is normally secured in place alongside a scaffold in a vertical position through the use of ordinary wires. However this type of arrangement is not only unsafe but also requires a considerable amount of time in the placement of the wires and the removal thereof.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide an improved scaffold ladder clamp which may be utilized for easy and quick connection of a ladder in a vertical position alongside a scaffold.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved scaffold ladder clamp which is of such a nature whereby one clamp portion thereof may be movably connected to a scaffold member and another clamp portion thereof may be rigidly connected to a standard of a ladder.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved scaffold ladder clamp which is so constructed whereby a single type of clamp may be utilized in numerous positions for securing a ladder in a Vertical position alongside a scaffold.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout and in which:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a scaffold construction and shows a ladder secured in position with respect thereto by a preferred form of scaffold ladder clamp;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the scaffold of Figure 1 and shows the manner in which one of the scaffold ladder clamps is utilized to clamp a ladder standard with respect to a standard of a ladder the ladder being shown in dotted lines;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the scaffold of Figurel and shows a second of the scaffold ladder clamps being utilized and releasably securing a standard of the ladder to a diagonal scaffold member the ladder being shown by dotted lines;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of Figure l and shows the relationship of the ladder with respect to a horizontal scaffold member and a pair of the scaffold ladder clamps;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 5-5 of Figure 4 and shows the general cross 2,947,555 Patented Aug. 2, 196i) section of one of the scaffold ladder clamps the ladder being omitted for purposes of clarity;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which one of the scaffold ladder clamps is secured to a scaffold member; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view of a horizontal scaffold member and shows the manner in which a pair of modified scaffold ladder clamps are secured thereto in ladder supporting relation.

Referring now to the drawings in detail it will be seen that there is illustrated in Figure 1 a scaffold construction which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 10. The scaffold construction is formed of a plurality of identical scaffold sections each of which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 12. Each scaffold section 12 includes a plurality of standards 14 which are connected together adjacent their lower and upper ends by horizontal scaffold members 16. The standards 14 are braced by diagonal scaffold members 18.

Removably secured to the scaffold 10 along one side thereof in a vertical position is a ladder which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 20. The ladder 20 includes a pair of spaced parallel standards 22 which are connected together at vertically spaced intervals by rungs 24. i

The ladder 20 is secured to the scaffold 10 in a vertical position by a plurality of identical scaffold ladder clamps which are referred to in general by the reference numeral 26.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 in particular it will be seen that each scaffold ladder clamp 26 includes a first clamp portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 28 and a second clamp portion Which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 30. The first clamp portion 28 is formed of a pair of longitudinally extending arcuate cross section halves 32 which are hingedly connected together along one abutting edge by an integrally formed hinge construction 34. The. hinge construction 34 also includes a removable hinge pin 36. Carried by one of the halves 3 2 remote from the hinge construction 34 is a pair ofupstanding cars 38 which are disposed in longitudinally spaced relation. Disposed between the ears 38 and mounted for pivotal movement on a pivot pin 40 carried by the: cars 38 is a threaded fastener 42. The fastener 42 passes between a pair of upstanding ears 44 on the other of the hinge halves 32 and is adjustably connected thereto by a nut 46 threadedly engaged thereon.

By backing off the nut 46 the fastener 42 may be moved out from between the ears 44. The halves 32 may be then hinged apart so as to be passed around a scaffold member such as the scaffold member 16. The fastener 42 may then again be passed between the ears 44 and the nut 46 moved to a clamping position relative to the ears 44 to secure the first clamp portion 28 on the scaffold member 16.

Formed integral with the half 32 to which the ears 38 are attached is a tubular boss 48. The tubular boss 48 has an axis which extends substantially at right angles to the longitudinal axis of its associated half 32. The boss 48 is provided at its outer end with an inturned annular flange 50. Pivotally connected to the tubular boss for rotation about the axis of the tubular boss is a spacer 52. The spacer 5 2 includes a head portion 54 disposed within the tubular bushing 48 and seated behind the annular flange 50 thereof.

Rigidly secured to the outer end of the spacer 52 is a support arm 56. The support arm 56 has carried thereby the second clamp portion 30.

The second clamp portion 30 includes a first leg'58 and a second leg 60 the first leg 58 is rigidly secured to i a side edge of the support arm 56 and extends normal to the axis of the clamp portion 28. The second leg 60 is disposed remote from the clamp portion 28 and in parallel relation with respect to the axis thereof.

- In order that one of the standards 22 of'the ladder may be retained in clamped relation by the second clamp portion 30, the support arm 56 is provided in alignment with the first leg 58 and internally threaded bore 62. Threadedly engaged within the bore 62 is a clamp fastener 64. The clamp fastener 64 is provided remote from the second leg 60 with a headed end 66 to facilitate the rotation thereof. The end of the clamp fastener 64 adjacent the second leg 60 is provided with a swivel ladder engaging member 68;

Referring'now to Figure 2 in particular, it will be seen that when the scaffold ladder clamp 26 is secured to a horizontal scaffold member 16 for securing the left hand one of the ladder standards 22' in position, the support arm 56 is in depending relation. The standard 22 is disposed within the confines of the second clamp portion and clamp against the second leg 60 thereof by the clamp fastener 64.

As is best illustrated in Figure 1, when the scaffold ladder clamp 26 is utilized to clamp the right hand one of the ladder standards 22, the second clamp portion 30 is disposed uppermost. Referring now to Figure 3 in particular, it will be seen that when the scaffold ladder clamp 26 is secured to a diagonal scaffold member 18, the first clamp portion 28 is clamped about the diagonal scaffold member 18 with the axis thereof in parallel relation with the axis of the diagonal scaffold member 18. However, the support arm 56 is disposed vertically so that the second clamp portion 30 may be disposed substantially horizontal for fitting around a standard 22 of the ladder.

When the scaffold ladder clamp 26 is utilized on a diagonal scaffold member 18 at the left side of the ladder 20, the support arm 56 is in depending relation, as is best illustrated in'Figure 1.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that a plurality of identical scaffold ladder clamps 26 may be utilized for rigidly securing a ladder, such as the ladder 20, along one side of a scaffold construction. Due to the particular nature of the clamps, if desired, they may be merely loosened and shifted to one side to permit the removal of the ladder so that only'one half of the scaffold ladder clamps 26 need be adjusted at all when placing the ladder.

Referring now to Figure 7 in particular, it will be seen that there is illustrated a modified form of scaffold ladder clamp which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 70. The scaffold ladder clamp 70 includes a first clamp portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 72 and a second clamp portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 74. The first clamp portion 72 includes a pair of clamp halves 76 which are identical with the clamp halves 32 and which are usually connected together in the same manner. Further, the clamp halves 76 are ad justably clamped together by a clamp fastener 78 which is identical to the clamp fastener 42. The first clamp portion 72 differs from the clamp portion 28 only in that the tubular boss 48 has been omitted.

The second clamp portion 74 includes a first leg 80 and a second leg 82, the second leg 82 being disposed at right angles to the first leg 80. The end of the first leg 80 remote from the leg' 82 is rigidly secured to one of the clamp halves 76 as at 84. The first leg'8tl extends at right angles to the axis of the first clamp portion 72 and when properly positioned on a horizontal scaffold member, such as the scaffold member 26, extends normal to the scaffold member 16. while being'disposed in a vertical plane. In order that a ladder may be rigidly secured to the second clamp portion 74, the second leg 82 is provided with an aperture 86. The aperture 86 is intended to receive a nail or like fastener which is intended to bepassed into a standard 22 ofla ladder, such as the ladder 20.

Cooperating with the scafiold ladder clamp 70 is a matched scaffold ladder clamp which is referred to in general by the reference. numeral 88. The scaffold ladder clamp 88 includes a first clamp portion, which is referred to in generalby the reference numeral 90. The first clamp portion 90 is identical with the first clamp portion 72 and need not be explained in more detail. The scaffold ladder clamp 88 also includes a second clamp portion which is referred to in general by the reference numeral 92. The second clamp portion 92 includes a first leg 94 which has secured to one end thereof at right angles thereto a second leg 96. The first leg 94 is secured to a half of the first clamp portion 98 as at 98 and extends n'ormal thereto. v

It will be seen that the only difference between the scaffold ladder clamp 70 and the scaffold ladder clamp 88 is that the second leg 82 extends to the right whereas the second leg 96 extends to the left. It will thus beseen that the scaffold ladder'clamps 70 and 88 form a matched pair of ladder clamps. V

In order that a standard of the ladder may be rigidly secured to the second clamp portion 92, the second leg 96 is provided with an aperture 100 which is identical with the aperture 86. A fastener is intended to be passed.

through the aperture 100 and secured to a standard of a ladder.

It is to be understood that the construction of the scaffold ladder clamps 70 and 88 is such that theyare substantially limited to horizontal scaffold members, such as the scaffold members '16. However, by twisting the second clamp portion relative to the first clamp portions, they may be made in matched pairs for diagonal scaffold members of known angles.

From the foregoing, the constructionland operation of the device will be readily understood and further ex-v planation is believed to be unnecessary. However, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the appended claims. i i

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A scaffold ladder clamp comprising a first "clamp portion adjustably securable to a scaffold member, and an L-shaped second clamp portion, said second clamp portion being carried'by said first clamp portion .and being engageable around a side and edge of a ladder standard, said first clamp portion including arcuate halves hingedly connected together, fastening means adjustably securing said halves together remote from said said hinge, said second clamp portion including a first leg disposed normal to a plane passing between said halves, a second leg remote from said halves and in spaced parallel relation thereto, a support arm, a pivot pin pivotally con meeting said support arm to one of said halves, said pivot pin having an axis normal to the axis of said first clamp portion, said first leg being connected to said 7 support arm remote from said pivot pin, clamp means carried by said support arm cooperating 'with said second leg for retaining a ladder against movement.

2. A scaffold ladder clamp comprising a first clamp portion adjustably securable to a scaffold member, and an L-shaped second clamp portion, said second clamp portion being carried by said first clamp portion and being engageable around aside and edge of a ladder standard, said first clamp portion including arcuate halves hingedly connected together, fastening-means adjustably securing said halves together remote from said hinge, said second clamp portion including a first leg disposed normal to a plane passing between said halves, a second leg remote from said halves and in spaced parallel relation thereto, a support arm, a pivot pin pivotally connecting said support arm to one of said halves, said pivot pin having an axis normal to the axis of said first clamp portion, said firstleg being connected to said support arm remote from said pivot pin, clamp means carried by said support arm cooperating with said second leg for retaining a ladder against movement, said clamp means being a threaded clamp element adjustably passing through said support arm and lying in the plane of said first and second leg.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,303,345 McFeathers May 13, 1919 6 Horsfall June 5, Maher Feb. 16, Bates Jan. 31, Heumann Jan. 15, Krueger July 3, Savage Aug. 6, Johnson Jan. 12, Johnson May 13, Smith Sept. 28, Wijn Ian. 31,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Aug. 18, Australia June 23, Great Britain Mar. 17, France Nov. 28, France May 10, 

